Practice Parameters
The AACAP Practice Parameters are designed to assist clinicians in providing high quality assessment and treatment for children and adolescents that is consistent with the best available scientific evidence and clinical consensus. Each practice parameter makes specific recommendations based on a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation of all available scientific data. Over 30 parameter topics are available to members and non-members.

Facts for Families
The AACAP developed Facts for Families to provide concise and up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families. The AACAP provides this important information as a public service and the Facts for Families may be duplicated and distributed free of charge as long as the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is properly credited and no profit is gained from their use.

Parents Med Guide
The American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have developed two medication guides, ADHD Parents Medication Guide, and The Use of Medication in Treating Childhood and Adolescent Depression: Information for Patients and Families. These guides are designed to help patients, families, and physicians make informed decisions about obtaining and administering the most appropriate care for a child with ADHD or depression. The guides have been endorsed by many national medical, family and patient advocacy organizations.

Rating Scales
To assist you with clinical assessments and diagnosis you will find standardized rating scales at your finger tips. This includes AACAP's own CASII and ECSII.

Outcomes and Quality Measures
As states, governmental entities and the health care industry seek to control program costs, they often look to where to eliminate or cut programs. To assist decision-makers in designing high quality programs AACAP has developed information on what principles make up safe, quality care for children and adolescent with mental illnesses.

Additional Resources
In this section you will find information pertaining to a variety of topics such as working with youth, psychotherapy and seclusion and restraint.